King George VI & Queen Elizabeth stakes

fonz

fonz

At the Start
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Nov 5, 2012
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Disappointing potential field to say the least but it's my favourite race of the summer and it would be a cardinal sin not to have a thread on it.

Highland Reel is a good stick but he's no world beater, Surely this would have been as good a race as any for Idaho but for some reason AOB or the lads just don't seem interested in the race at all anymore.

Can anybody see past Postponed?
 
I've backed Highland Reel. No he aint a world beater but should be clear second fav. His Arlington Million win was on proper quick ground

Postponed is high class obviously but I think a lot of people got carried away with his Coronation Cup win. The race was very much run to suit and there wasn't much in behind. Found for me wasn't at her best that day having run a fortnight before.
 
The quick around could be a bit of a leveller and I expect both highland reel and wings of desire to run well. highland reel ew is the bet but Idaho would have gone very close.
 
How many runners do you think there will be? Just looking at the each way angle, the race is bad each way whatever but there's the added potential to have a bet three places now in a race that could cut up to fewer than 8 runners.
 
Why? The Hardwicke version of Dartmouth was him at his best. It was HR's first run back after a go at Dubai and his best form is all on quick ground.
 
Euronymous said:
Why? The Hardwicke version of Dartmouth was him at his best. It was HR's first run back after a go at Dubai and his best form is all on quick ground.
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The Hardwicke was the best that we have seen so far from Dartmouth. He's clearly improving at a rate of knots and handles quick ground.

Highland Reel on the other hand is exposed as being decent but not top class - his best form to date being (imo) a defeat of perennial loser Flintshire (who really does love quick ground). In addition his best efforts have come when allowed to dictate - with Ajman Bridge in the line up I'd guess that isn't going to happen.
 
That's annoying especially that I've missed the nice AP prices on the others


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Given its such a weak renewal I'd be surprised if Gosden sanctioned the 115 rated rated Western Hymn as pacemaker to the 113 rated Wings of Desire.
 
If there's no pace I can't really see anything other than a win for Highland Reel given his form over shorter. Kevin Ryan has dropped a huge bollock taking TGG out.
 
They must be kicking themselves over The Grey Gatsby.
My problem with Highland Reel is that he had an incredible amount of air miles last year and that's always a big negative with me unless you are talking about specialist international horses like Red Cadeaux-I wouldn't be surprised to see him blow out completely.
 
What a **** poor field - top rated 119 . I imagine Postponed scared off Minding and the like not necessarily because they did not think they could beat him but because if the likelihood of a very hard race . Unless there was a health issue with TGG it does seem very odd - albeit the horse seems about 10lb better with Moore on top than Spencer .
 
fonz said:
Given its such a weak renewal I'd be surprised if Gosden sanctioned the 115 rated rated Western Hymn as pacemaker to the 113 rated Wings of Desire.
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It remains a possibilty, Fonz, and it's clear from jockey bookings and the market which JG sees as his main chance. Don't mean it's gonna happen, but it's a journeyman horse, running for place money only and owned by his wife, and WOD needs all the pace he can get.
 
reet hard said:
It remains a possibilty, Fonz, and it's clear from jockey bookings and the market which JG sees as his main chance. Don't mean it's gonna happen, but it's a journeyman horse, running for place money only and owned by his wife, and WOD needs all the pace he can get.
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I see your point reet, don't think he's owned by Rachel Hood though, Robin Geffen I think.

Edit: Co-owners I see, should check facts first :)
 
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A little surprised that there's been no mention of Erupt. Has won a European G1 and his run in the Japan Cup is arguably the best 12f/fast ground form on offer. Better than a 5/1 chance.
 
Trappy race all things considered.
Can make a case for quite a few with Postponed out and lacks quality before the race in any case but we probably said the same last year.
everyone wants a 10f Grade 1 winner so this race loses out to York and Leopardstown races while the breed is crying out for stamina to toughen the breed up.
The joys of progress I suppose.
 
archie said:
A little surprised that there's been no mention of Erupt. Has won a European G1 and his run in the Japan Cup is arguably the best 12f/fast ground form on offer. Better than a 5/1 chance.
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I backed him at Saint-Cloud and even though he was the best horse in the race (poorly placed at the back) it was a worse Group 1 than this one. That said I have 10s about Highland Reel so have to cover given how far ahead I am in the race and Erupt seems the most sensible alternative.
 
Small bet on the 3 place market on Second Step
Dartmouth for me, not bothered about the weakness in the market its down to the mug money on the Moore factor.
 
fonz said:
Small bet on the 3 place market on Second Step
Dartmouth for me, not bothered about the weakness in the market its down to the mug money on the Moore factor.
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Never underestimate the Moore factor :D
 
Great ride from Moore to steal a Group 1.Two thoughts -the race is no longer the major it was and aren't the Ballydoyle boys deadly when the money is down.
 
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